- Seeks dissolution of Governors Forum
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The National President of the Oodua Progressive Care Initiative (OPCI), Dr. Maruff Olarewaju, has lauded the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for their prompt response to the long-standing yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, including the OPCI, on the issues of autonomy and separate accounts for the 774 local governments in the country.
According to the OPCI President, the bold step taken by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in dragging the 36 Governors to court was a laudable move towards deepening democracy and ensuring the financial independence of the local governments.
In addition, Dr. Maruff urged the
Federal Government to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all local government elections, saying this would pave way for a true democratic system and ensure that the will of the people at the grassroots is reflected in the leadership of local governments.
He said: “The current system, where State Electoral Commissions conduct local government elections, should be abolished to achieve this goal.
“We believe that these steps will strengthen the third tier of government and enable local governments to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities effectively and efficiently.
“We are also calling for the dissolution of the Governors Forum (NGF), a body that has long been criticised for prioritising the interests of its members over those of the people they were elected to serve. The forum, which was initially designed to promote cooperation and collaboration among governors, has instead become a platform for them to collude and perpetuate their own power and privileges at the expense of the masses.
“For too long, the Governors Forum has been used to suppress dissenting voices, stifle opposition, and maintain a stranglehold on power. It has enabled governors to evade accountability, ignore the needs of their constituents, and perpetuate a culture of impunity.
“By dissolving the Governors Forum, we hope to see an end to the era of governors prioritising their own interests over those of the people. We also urge that individual governor should be held accountable for their actions, while calling for transparency in their decision-making processes. We demand a new era of leadership that prioritises the needs of the people, promotes participatory governance, and upholds the principles of democracy.
“The dissolution of the Governors Forum is a step in the right direction towards a more accountable, transparent, and people-centered governance. We will continue to advocate for a better Nigeria, where the voices of the people are heard and their interests are prioritised.”
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